Vintage French Jet
You would be tempted to believe that this shiney cut glass is from France. It is not that ooh la la! French Jet was manufactured in the 1920s by Bohemian glass cutters from the former Czechoslovakia.
The craft of cutting is full of hidden intricacies, whilst the readymade
product is full of time-honoured tradition.
I purchased the last known stock from an old maker in the Czech Republic
whose grandfather had a glass cutting factory at the turn of the last
century.
Every piece is remarkable, individual and is a one off or limited
edition.
History
The fashion for jet jewellery started in the 1850’s as mourning
jewellery, when Queen Victoria wore a necklace to a banquet after the death of
her cousin. Before long, jet (high-grade fossilised pine) was considered the
only suitable material for mourning. By the end of the 19th century imitations
of jet were being made in costume jewellery that captured the sombre elegance
of jet. Other imitators of Witby jet have included anthracite, Bakelite, candle
coal, enamel, horn, quartz, shale, and vulcanite.
Imitation Jet – French Jet
Produced in Bohemia. Most French jet was made from shiny black glass,
which was cut and backed, with black-coated steel. It was then fused or
soldered onto a metal base. It remained fashionable until the late 1920s to the
early 30s.
Styles
Although made from original Czech cut glass jet stones in the 1920s
–1930s the style of this jewellery is far more 1900s.
Victorian/Edwardian. Most designs are more
feminine, lacy and romantic than the geometric deco style of that time.
Egyptian. The love of the exotic
has always been a popular theme for jewellery. Pharanoiac motifs became an
absolute craze after Howard Carter’s discovery of Tutankhamen’s tomb in 1922.“
Fashion has a rendezvous with the Nile.” Vogue declared in 1923. The craze lasted
until well into the 1930’s, fuelled by Hollywood movies and the continuing
press coverage of Carter’s excavation. Scarabs, snakes, Pharaohs and Princesses
were used to create the ultimate Cleopatra look jewellery.
Art Nouveau. Features the
designs of Alfons Mucha (a Czech designer)known for his illustrated women.
Value
Originals of these types are very scarce so good quality reproductions
are popular and fetch high prices in their own right. Unlike forgeries, these
are not produced with any intention to deceive. Cheaper than Deco jewellery of
the same period serious collectors have overlooked this stylistic jewellery
from Czechoslovakia and quality pieces are relatively inexpensive.
Where
to find such pieces?
Olga
and Millies Vintage (upstairs from the Etelage bead and jewellery store in
Sydney Newtown).
And
this weekend try the Vintage Show at Canterbury Racecourse
5:30
Fri 17th Oct to 4:30 Sunday 19th
Enjoy
all day shopping, demonstrations on make up and hair do’s from bygone eras and
parades.
For
more info www.lovevinatge.com.au
Etelage
n/ adornment ™
beautiful beads and bespoke jewellery
430 king st (south)
newtown nsw 2042
p: 02 9557 9089
f: 02 9557 9037
e: chris@etelage.com
P please don't print this e-mail unless you really need to.
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